I've seen it twice now and it still isn't one of my favorite Kurosawa films (although that's kind of it's own category isn't it?). I was much more impressed with it this time however and I believe my earlier disappointment with it three years ago can mostly be attributed to having only seen a few Kurosawa films at that time. I was expecting more of the same I suppose. I will say this, it has the feel of a film that is the result of a director upping his game and succeeding on every level. And I tip my hat to Mifune for letting them shoot real arrows "at" him. I'm going to have to try and talk my actors into that on my next project.

It's also always a pleasure to see all the Kurosawa regulars show their range as some of the best film actors we've ever had.